As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace!  But now they are hidden from your eyes.  Luke 20:41-42

Peace–It seems lately everywhere I look I am reminded of how important it is to seek peace.  First within myself and then with others.

 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and that followed were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!  Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord!  Hosanna in the highest heaven!”

When he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was in turmoil, asking, “Who is this?”  Matthew 21:10

The Prince of Peace enters Jerusalem, and yet there is turmoil, not peace.  They failed to recognize him.  They were busy joining the crowds, though not understanding who they were “welcoming.”  They were busy selling and buying in the temple.

But there were others who were paying attention and noticing that “Peace” had entered.  The blind and the lame came to him with hope.  They were hoping for vision, they were hoping for healing.  He met them where they were and healed them.

“Whatever you ask for in prayer with faith, you will receive.”  Matthew 21:22

To find Peace, meeting Christ, I believe you must break away from the busyness of the crowd.

He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.”  

Zacchaeus may not have understood what would happen if he and Jesus made eye contact but he sought to see Him, and as a result, he was seen.  He must have looked a bit of a fool climbing that tree and yet his discontent in being part of the crowd put him in the right place at the right time,  and Jesus was coming to dinner.   I can imagine quite a dinner conversation as Zacchaeus opens his home and heart to Jesus.  Zacchaeus promises things to Christ to make himself more worthy and yet he is assured that he has already done what is needed.

‘Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”

Peace